Special Needs Student Chosen for Homecoming Court

Lily von Schmeling’s radiant smile rarely leaves her face.

Classmates and cheerleading teammates praise the junior for helping to put things in perspective.

Von Schmeling, who has Down syndrome, will be one of five junior representatives on the school’s Homecoming Court at today’s 7:30 p.m. football game against Campbell. More than 80 students were nominated to the court before the list was whittled to 10 students for the final vote.

“She’s fabulous,” junior varsity football cheerleading coach Melonie C. Whittemore said of von Schmeling. “This is my third year coaching her and she’s amazing. Obviously she has Down syndrome, but you’d never know because she knows everyone’s name and she’s always happy. She’s never upset. Sometimes she’s late to class because she has to stop and talk to everybody. She’s just a beautiful person inside and out.”

Classmate Meagan Taylor has been friends with von Schmeling since fifth grade.

“She has really made me appreciate life,” Taylor said. “I would rather hang out with her than most of my other friends that I hang out with. She is happier than anyone else I know. She always puts smiles on everyone's faces and is also very sensitive and kind to everyone. Lily is my best friend and I am so lucky to have her in my life. She inspires me every day to appreciate what life has to offer.”

Cheerleader teammate Rachel Westmoreland said von Schmeling was worthy of the Homecoming Court selection by her classmates.

“It’s really exciting to see her name up there and she really deserves it,” Westmoreland said. “She always has a smile and when you walk to her she always gives you a hug when you first see her. I tried out for cheerleading with her freshman year and it was really inspiring to see her out on the field with us and right there with us in the action.”

Stephanie Barber, von Schmeling’s academic and vocational teacher, said a student with intellectual disabilities earning a place on a high school’s homecoming stage is significant.

“I think it’s a big deal because it says that Kennesaw Mountain is a very accepting community and that it fosters a sense of belonging,” Barber said.

Meeting former Kennesaw Mountain cheerleader Chelsea Owen, a 2009 graduate, and other cheerleaders – and becoming good friends with them – motivated von Schmeling to try out for the Mustangs’ junior varsity cheerleading squad. The pom poms, singing and dancing are what von Schmeling said she likes most.

During Thursday night’s home junior varsity football game against South Cobb High School, cheerleader teammate Danica Bjerklie and others frequently encouraged and complimented von Schmeling between routines.

“She’s a good cheerleader,” freshman Emily Dobson said of von Schmeling. “She’s always cheering on the team and showing great spirit.”

Von Schmeling is the oldest child of Lori and Henning von Schmeling. Her sister, Anna, is in the ninth grade at Kennesaw Mountain and her brother, Max, is a seventh grader at Pine Mountain Middle School.

Lori von Schmeling taught special education for seven years before she had Lily and currently is a third-grade special education teacher at Baker Elementary School.

“I attribute a lot of this to her friends because she’s always been in general ed. classes with her peers,” Lori von Schmeling said. “All she ever wanted to be since she was little was to be a cheerleader, so when I started meeting with teachers and everyone, I wanted to know if that was possible more than the classes because she obviously can’t do all the moves. She’s not in all their stunts, but when they’re out there cheering, she’s out there with them.

“I treat her like she’s any other child,” she continued. “Clearly there are some things she can’t do, but I wait for her to back away. Hopefully, Lily’s experiences will make it easier for students behind her. I’ve always thought Lily had a song to sing and a purpose, like everyone. If she wasn’t with her peers no one would hear her song and that’s the way it is for all of us.”

Anna von Schmeling said her older sister’s selection to Homecoming Court has been a “true blessing.”

“Her being accepted by her peers is amazing because we couldn’t ask for anything better,” she said. “There are a lot of kids who look after her and I’ve never heard anyone complain about her. She’s very included by her peers.”